PORTRAIT : ALEX FREUND
FASHION : YUJI TAKENAKA
GRAVURE CAUGHT UP WITH VINCENT KARTHEISER OF MAD MEN AND GAVE HIM OUR OWN SPIN ON THE “PROUST QUESTIONAIRE”. HIS ANSWERS REVEAL HIS INNER WORKINGS, ASPIRATIONS, FEARS, AND CHOICE OF BATHROOM FIXTURES.
GRAVURE: What is your current state of mind?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Peaceful
GRAVURE What is your idea of ultimate happiness?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Happiness is momentary and circumstantial. It is not an everyday state of mind… So with that idea in mind: A good movie, a delicious meal,
GRAVURE: What is your idea of ultimate misery?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Being unemployed and unemployable.
GRAVURE: Which living person do you admire the most?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: My parents. I know them well and understand how wonderful they really are. They have persevered through their battles and raised an incredible family.
GRAVURE: What is your greatest extravagance?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: A toto washlet.
GRAVURE: What natural talent do you wish you had?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I wish I could play an instrument or write music.
GRAVURE: What do you most desire in a woman?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Independence and intelligence
GRAVURE: What are your favorite qualities in a man?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Acceptance and acknowledgement of their ability to be wrong. A man that can yield to another man’s leadership and guidance and apologize when they have acted impulsively out of fear or in reaction to their ego being bruised.
GRAVURE: What is your favorite occupation?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Editors. They make my work palatable, to at least some people.
GRAVURE: What is your favorite pastime?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I love doing interviews and filling out questionnaires. Also, I like being sarcastic.
GRAVURE: What is your greatest accomplishment?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: “Mad Men.” Just getting the job is something I’m very proud of.
GRAVURE: What is the ultimate boredom?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: If you’re bored then you are boring.
GRAVURE: What one thing would you most like to change in your lifestyle?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I wish I had more organization
GRAVURE: What historical figure has most influenced your life?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: No historical characters, maybe some fictional characters. But I doubt that I actually live remotely as those characters did, I just like to imagine that I do.
GRAVURE: What object do you most desire?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I don’t drive a fancy car….. But I do desire almost every sweet and sexy luxury vehicle I pass.
GRAVURE: What living person inspires you most?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I’m inspired by many of the actors on “Mad Men;” though my life and dedication does not match or even slightly resemble their greatness. I only wish it did.
GRAVURE: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Not really advice to me, but a quote of Kurt Vonnegut’s: “ Be careful what you pretend to be because you are what you pretend to be.” Though I haven’t adhered to this “advice” at all.
GRAVURE: What work of art has changed your life?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Film. Hal Ashby’s work and John Cassavetes’ films.
GRAVURE: What experience has most influenced you?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: This industry and my road to where I have come. That entire experience has influenced and continues to influence me every day.
GRAVURE: Where would you like to be in 15 years?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: Alive. I would like to have a family and still be part of creating and expressing stories.
GRAVURE: What one thing would you change to make the world a better place?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I don’t think I have any idea how to change anything, much less the entire world. Please ask a biologist or scientist or…. at least someone who went to college.
GRAVURE: What one thing would you change in yourself to make yourself a better person?
VINCENT KARTHEISER: I would change everything.
